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Saturday, May 8, 2010

Heads AND tails

It was a swell day

Today Clyde a I had a 2 stage paddle, one totally different from the other, something like heads and tails of a coin.

We were paddling to Freshwater Bay from Tors Cove, partly in the shelter of the cliffs from the westerly winds and partly directly into the wind where the bays were open to the west. We had what might be called a sightseeing tour going down.

On our return we did stage 2 where we stayed off-shore and completed one longish open ocean paddle. No sightseeing on return but careful attention to each paddle stroke.

Entering La Manche

We rounded Bauline Point and had a stiff paddle into a 30 km wind gusting to 50. As we got closer to the resettled community of La Manche we got some protection from the wind. I recall Malcolm telling me that the wind shadow created by a line of cliffs is 6 times the height of the cliffs. Unfortunately, the westerly winds were funneling and even as close as we were here the wind managed to find its way through the narrow opening.

The bridge is part of the East Coast Trail on the Avalon Peninsula and replaces one that the former settlers had erected here in order to connect both sides of the little cove.

Cape Neddick beckons

Leaving La Manche we head for Cape Neddick on our way to Freshwater Bay.

The swell reaches the cliffs

Working our way to Cape Neddick we paddled along the south shore ofLa Manche Bay. The swell was refracting around Cape Neddick giving us some nice paddling close to the shore. Here Clyde is in Money Cove.

Cape Neddick gets closer

Money Cove Point with Cape Neddick just behind it. In La Manche Bay we were sheltered for a while from the winds but shortly we'd swing to the right and into Freshwater Bay where we knew the winds would be back in our faces.

Freshwater River

After a short run into the wind and waves we reached the bottom of Freshwater Bay where Freshwater River tumbles our over a set of falls.

On the rocks

We were hungry but nowhere to take-out in Freshwater Bay. We found a spot with some seaweed covered rocks that was kind to the boats for landing.

Perched high on the rocks we had our lunch congratulating ourselves on a fine paddle to that point.

Start of stage 2

After lunch we paddled past Deep Cove to Flambro Head on the left side of Freshwater Bay. From there we started stage 2 of our paddle - an open ocean crossing from Flamber Head to Bauline Point instead of hugging the coastline.

The westerly winds blowing out Freshwater Bay and LaManche Bay made the bays full of white-caps. The wind and waves on our beam combined with a following southwest swell of 1 to 2 metres made for right good open ocean paddling. The camera stayed in my PFD pocket.

Once we got to Bauline Point we had shelter from the wind and paddled on to Tors Cove for a total distance of 24 kms.

About Me

I'm one lucky guy and I know it. That's why I picked "Kuviasuktok" as my paddling handle; translated from Inuit means "is happy".
I enjoy the outdoors and I enjoy it without the noise of motorized transportation. I prefer a kayak over a motorboat, skiis over skidoos and mountainbike over motorcycle. I've been active all my life and take great care of the vessel life has been poured into for me. My family is my first priority. My childern are all selfstanding adults now, I'm retired and anxious to do stuff I've always wanted to but didn't have time or money to before. One of those things is seakayaking.